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The Journal of veterinary medical science2021; 84(1); 74-81; doi: 10.1292/jvms.21-0301

Ultrasonographic examination of equine fetal growth parameters throughout gestation in pony for Equine-Assisted Therapy.

Abstract: Equine-Assisted Therapy (EAT) is gaining popularity. Ultrasound examination is used to decrease the abortion rate in horses. In this study, to monitor fetal well-being throughout the gestation for EAT, we measured fetal heart rate (FHR), fetal eye orbit (FEO), fetal gonad length (FGL), fetal kidney length (FKL), and the combined thickness of the uterus and placenta (CTUP) by ultrasonography in pony mares. Additionally, we measured the plasma progesterone (P4) and estradiol (E2) concentrations in pregnant horses using enzyme immunoassay. The FGL peaked at week 32 and then decreased to term, and a strong correlation (r=0.72, P<0.001) between the FGL and E2 concentration was observed. A strong correlation with gestational age was detected among the FEO (r=0.96, P<0.001), FKL (r=0.85, P<0.001), and CTUP (r=0.96, P<0.001). The P4 concentration peaked at week 10, decreased to low levels (below 5 ng/ml), and peaked before parturition. In conclusion, this study provides information on fetal growth throughout gestation in pony mares for EAT. In addition, it revealed the relationship between ultrasonographic profile and plasma hormone concentrations during gestation.
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Publication Date: 2021-11-25 PubMed ID: 34819425PubMed Central: PMC8810330DOI: 10.1292/jvms.21-0301Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This research investigates the use of ultrasound to monitor fetal growth in ponies used in Equine-Assisted Therapy (EAT). Various fetal parameters were measured, and a correlation between these measurements and hormone concentrations in the mother’s plasma was established.

Research Methodology and Parameters

  • The researchers chose pony mares used in Equine-Assisted Therapy (EAT) as their subjects. These mares were subject to ultrasound examination throughout their gestation period.
  • Various fetal parameters were monitored including fetal heart rate (FHR), fetal eye orbit (FEO), fetal gonad length (FGL), fetal kidney length (FKL), and the combined thickness of the uterus and placenta (CTUP).
  • The team used an Ultrasonographic machine to get precise measurements of these parameters at different points in the gestation period.
  • In parallel, they measured the concentrations of two specific hormones – progesterone (P) and estradiol (E) – in the plasma of the pregnant mares using an enzyme immunoassay technique.

Key Findings

  • Among the parameters measured, the length of fetal gonad (FGL) showed a peak at week 32 of gestation and then decreased till birth.
  • There was a significant correlation (r=0.72, P<0.001) established between FGL and the concentration of estradiol (E) hormone in the mare’s plasma.
  • Other parameters including fetal eye orbit (FEO), fetal kidney length (FKL), and the combined thickness of the uterus and placenta (CTUP) showed a strong correlation with the gestational age. This suggested that these parameters increased with the progression of the pregnancy.
  • The plasma concentration of progesterone (P) hormone in the mares showed interesting dynamics – it peaked at week 10 of pregnancy, fell to low levels (below 5 ng/ml), and then again showed a peak just before delivery.

Conclusion and Implications

  • The study provides critical insights about fetal growth throughout gestation in pony mares used for EAT.
  • The study established a clear relationship between ultrasonographic profile (anatomical and physiological parameters) and plasma hormone concentrations during gestation. This can have important implications in better monitoring and management of equine pregnancies.

This research thus provides essential data not only for the better management of pregnancies in pony mares used for EAT, but also sets a model for similar large-scale study in other breeds of horses as well.

Cite This Article

APA
Gao Y, Hannan MA, Murata K, Rajabi-Toustani R, Nambo Y. (2021). Ultrasonographic examination of equine fetal growth parameters throughout gestation in pony for Equine-Assisted Therapy. J Vet Med Sci, 84(1), 74-81. https://doi.org/10.1292/jvms.21-0301

Publication

The Journal of veterinary medical science
ISSN: 1347-7439
NlmUniqueID: 9105360
Country: Japan
Language: English
Volume: 84
Issue: 1
Pages: 74-81

Researcher Affiliations

Gao, Yuanzhi
  • Department of Clinical Veterinary Sciences, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido 080-8555, Japan.
Hannan, M A
  • Faculty of Veterinary, Animal and Biomedical Sciences, Khulna Agricultural University, Khulna, Bangladesh.
Murata, Kaishi
  • Department of Clinical Veterinary Sciences, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido 080-8555, Japan.
Rajabi-Toustani, Reza
  • Department of Clinical Veterinary Sciences, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido 080-8555, Japan.
Nambo, Yasuo
  • Department of Clinical Veterinary Sciences, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido 080-8555, Japan.
  • United Graduate School of Veterinary Sciences, Gifu University, Gifu 501-1193, Japan.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Equine-Assisted Therapy
  • Female
  • Fetal Development
  • Gestational Age
  • Horses
  • Parturition
  • Placenta
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy, Animal

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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Citations

This article has been cited 1 times.
  1. Rajabi-Toustani R, Tsogtgerel M, Gao Y, Li C, Sakato M, Haneda S, Cheong SH, Nambo Y. First Kiso pony foal produced via transfer of long-distance shipped fresh embryo to Hokkaido native pony. J Reprod Dev 2023 Apr 3;69(2):125-128.
    doi: 10.1262/jrd.2022-125pubmed: 36724993google scholar: lookup
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